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Relax the 10% cap that limits the number of homes delivered by acquisitions under AHP grants administered by Homes England to match the higher 30% cap administered by the GLA, as well as the acquisitions cap on right-to-buy receipts, so that councils in London and across the country can maximise the advantages of acquisitions while continuing to prioritise grant for new build homes. [...] Despite recent falls, house prices in the capital significantly outstrip those across the rest of the country, averaging almost £510,000, nearly double the UK average.1 Londoners pay by far the highest rent in the private rented sector (PRS), which rose by 17% in 2022 and by a further 9% in 2023,2 pushing average rents in the capital to over £2,000 per month, almost double the UK average of £1,100. [...] But to further assist councils with acquiring the right type of (often more expensive) homes, the government should abolish the restrictions that prevent councils from combining right-to-buy receipts with other grant funding, such as the CHAP funds.32 This would encourage more councils to participate in acquisitions, ensuring the homes bought match the type and size of those most needed. [...] 21 Buying back better The GLA’s commitment to a new programme of social housing acquisitions is therefore timely, notwithstanding and even taking advantage (through lower average house prices) of the current macroeconomic headwinds to offer tangible solutions to councils in the capital to help tackle the housing crisis. [...] Relax the 10% cap that limits the number of homes delivered by acquisitions under AHP grants administered by Homes England to match the higher 30% cap administered by the GLA, as well as the acquisitions cap on right-to-buy receipts, so that councils in London and across the country can maximise the advantages of acquisitions while continuing to prioritise grant for new build homes.